I’m collecting live coverage of events as police prepare to clear out the Wisconsin Capitol Building in Madison, WI on the 14th day of protests against Gov. Scott Walker’s union-busting bill. Police are scheduled to remove protestors at 4:00 p.m. CST, with several dozen planning to be arrested in civil disobedience.

I’m keeping fingers crossed that everybody inside stays non-violent and understands the consequences of their actions. Non-violence is absolutely crucial. It looks like they are well-organized. One of the things that caused the anti-Vietnam demonstrations to go off the rails was the handful of people (possibly agents-provocateurs) who threw rocks and otherwise damaged property needlessly. There was a lot of acting out, and it wasn’t serious. This demonstration looks serious. Keep it up, Badgers!

So the “sit in” involves going where the authorities are asking and making it totally easy for them to accomplish clearing the Capitol? Then what? An orderly que where the “protesters” just quietly follow the others out after getting their “I’m so hardcore” citation?

Am I missing something here? What the hell is the point of getting arrested if you don’t actually cause any problems along the way?

Luck this is a new situation- there is no Chief Leslie or Bull Connors. The protestors on the ground are the only people to decide what to do…not us in easy chairs.
The George Wallace equivalent is hiding.

How many times have you been arrested at protests? With nonviolent civil disobedience the object is to get arrested without “causing problems along the way.” Being an asshole gets you hurt and makes the police angry, who may then hurt others for no reason other than they’re angry.

On first-draft.com: Scout reports from inside that the recalcitrant protestors who are seated on the ground floor refusing to go upstairs with the others to the second floor are “new” protestors, in other words, not any of the citizen activists who have worked together so well over these long days making a fulfilling and safe community inside the building.

from First-Draft.com:
Rumor inside that Sen . Dale Schultz from District 17 (Sauk and Juneau counties, Baraboo and Mauston) is a Republican NO vote. They are waiting for confirmation but excited and have already placed a Thank You banner at a window. Scout is tweeting that means if true only 2 more Republicans will be needed to kill the bill.

It was announced more than 10 minutes ago: the citizen activists may stay the night and the ground floor is is being cleaned now (that is the floor they vacated when asked to go upstairs.